He said: “As we approach the opening of the bridge, we would encourage people to register as soon as they can to avoid delays.

“We’re making sure there are plenty of options available so everyone who wants to register can do so as easily as possible. Registering now will ensure you are ready when the bridge opens this autumn.”

Here’s what people who live outside Halton need to do to register online for a pre-pay account:

2. Pay the £5 one-off registration fee for each vehicle you register. Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email and your special merseyflow sticker will be sent through the post.

David Parr, chief executive of Halton Borough Council, explained: “This is an important step in our journey towards the opening of the Mersey Gateway.

“Once registered you will be able to travel across the new bridge as soon as it opens, and the Silver Jubilee Bridge, when work to refurbish it is completed.”

Drone footage of the Mersey Gateway bridge at Runcorn as captured by aerial imaging company Fly-Site(Image: www.fly-site.com)

The new bridge is scheduled to open this autumn.

When the Mersey Gateway opens, the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be closed to road traffic for up to 12 months while it is refurbished.

During this time the Silver Jubilee Bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists and will be tolled when it reopens.

Mr Parr continued: “We’re still working towards an autumn date. We’ve got a fairly good idea about what that date will be.

“We’re not going public with that because it’s really important that we give the constructors the opportunity to deal with any unforeseen weather circumstances that might prevail over the coming months.”